03. Nancy Divilly's Shop, Ballinrooaun.

Nancy Divilly’s Shop, Ballinrooaun.

Annie Monaghan, Ballinrooaun, formerly Annie Divilly but better known locally as Nancy, died on July 18th, 1958 aged 100 years. The Tuam Herald of August 2nd, 1958 reports as follows: “Nancy was a stately old lady who had almost reached the hundred mark, she was well known even beyond her own district, and was noted for her kindness and generosity to all and sundry in time of necessity or distress. A member of an old parish family, the Divillys, her mother was a Whyte from Mullaghmore and she was relict of Michael Monaghan, who pre-deceased her about a half century ago. Her late husband served in the American Civil War (1861-1865) and Mrs. Monaghan was reputed to be the last surviving widow of a veteran of that war. She also spent several of her earlier years in the United States, and even the oldest living person in the district can scarcely remember her as a graceful-young lady in her ‘twenties, having returned from America.

In the early, part of this century, Mrs. Monaghan conducted the rather lucrative family business in Ballinruane, founded by her late husband (who was earlier in business at Mountbellew), during which time she was well known and respected for her scrupulously honest and generous dealings with all the people in the neighbourhood. She retired from the business about 1930.

A feature of her charming personality was that she was particularly fond of children and her death, even at such an advanced age, will be regretted by many a native of that district now away from home. Indeed she was a character of characters – there could be only one Mrs. Monaghan – and it is certain that her type will not emerge from the present generation. She was an exceptionally religious woman and during her last illness she had the consolation of the Sacraments regularly and everything medically possible was done to prolong her long and well spent life.

Indeed, ’tis many a bereaved person she herself consoled and rendered practical assistance. May God grant her the eternal reward she so richly deserves. Her remains were removed on Friday evening last to Moylough Church and the interment took place to the new cemetery, Moylough, following Solemn Requiem Mass on Saturday morning, 19th inst. The corteges on both days were large and representative and were a fitting tribute to a grand old lady. May she rest in peace.”

Nancy was born to John Divilly from Ballinrooaun and Honor Whyte from Mullaghmore South. She would emigrate to the United States in her youth but would eventually return to Ballinrooaun in the 1890s. Following her return Nancy would marry Michael Monaghan, who was twice widowed at this time, on January 7th 1899. It was then, with Michael’s experience, that they would set up a shop in Ballinrooaun to serve this and surrounding townlands. Micahael Monaghan was born in Skehana townland and the Monaghan family would later relocate to Clooncurreen. Michael first married Kate Moran from Mountbellew in 1870 and was married secondly to Mary Hare from Tuam in 1977. On all three marriage certificates Michael is record as being a ‘shopkeeper’.

Annie Monaghan would foster Mary Jordan from Menlough and she would inherit the farm in Ballinrooaun and marry James Geraghty, originally from Cloonmweeaun (Sunhill), and they would raise a family of six children. The original house and shop is still extant though now derelict.